Day 1 of Federal Government Shutdown 2013 has passed, and, so far, the local impact appears minimal.

But it was not invisible.

A phone call to the Massachusetts Social Security office yielded a notably altered recorded greeting before the automated directory kicked in: “During the government shutdown, local Social Security offices, except card centers, are open for a limited number of services. You can access our services online.”

A sign inside the Fall River Social Security office on North Main Street confirmed that the shutdown had indeed begun. It read, “Things we cannot do today: Issue new, or replacement Social Security cards. Replace your Medicare card. Issue a proof of income.”

Another posted sign concluded, “We regret any inconvenience. We assure that despite reduced funding from Congress we will continue to work hard to serve this community.”

Social Security payments will still continue as scheduled, and offices will still be open for other services — benefits applications, changing addresses or direct deposit information, reporting deaths, replacing lost or missing payments or issuing critical payments.

Foot traffic to the office Tuesday afternoon appeared relatively minimal. The folks who visited didn’t appear bothered by the shutdown, so long as they received their checks, which, so far, they had.

Employees of local Social Security offices would not comment on media inquiries regarding the shutdown.

When asked, Social Security assistant district manager Mayda Hammond simply said, “I cannot answer those questions for you,” and instead gave out a phone number and a website: www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/shutdown2013.pdf.

Elsewhere, Mayor William Flanagan said the city’s federally funded programs are so far continuing, at least in the short term.

“At the local level, everything appears to be running as normal,” Flanagan said. “But the losers, if this shutdown goes on, will not be the government or the city, but the people who are assisted by federal programs... It’s very disappointing.”

Flanagan noted that Federal SAFER Grant funds, which partially fund firefighters’ salaries, had already been allocated. Federal education funds for programs like HeadStart and federal transportation funds had also been dispersed. The community development agency is also “still up and running,” Flanagan said.

“At this time, the money has been allocated. But that money might possibly be in jeopardy,” Flanagan said. “Future funding is obviously an issue moving forward.”

A sustained shutdown could jeopardize funding for local Women Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits programs, explained Mark Sullivan, executive director of Citizens for Citizens, which provides a number of federally funded social service programs in Taunton and Fall River.

“There won’t be any staff to do the food stamps program,” Sullivan said. “That may be a few weeks away.” With winter just two months away, Citizens for Citizens is also out of money for its fuel assistance program.

Hague said he had received inquiries about whether veterans services would be cut. So far, the federally run Veterans Affairs hospitals in Providence and Brockton are still open, with assurances from the VA that they will remain so. “And our rides are continuing,” Hague said.

At the National Weather Service’s Taunton office, essential personnel remained at work Tuesday, continuing to monitor the weather and provide forecasts.

“We are essential to protect life and property, so we continue on,” meteorologist Bill Simpson said.

While the Taunton forecast center’s website remains in operation, NOAA.gov and many of its associated websites are not available during the shutdown. The office posted a message on Twitter earlier in the day that staff will be onsite to provide forecasts and critical weather support, but would be unable to respond to non-critical questions.

It is business as usual at post offices during the shutdown, including those located inside federal buildings.

“As a self-funded independent agency of the Executive Branch of the federal government, the U.S. Postal Service will not shut down,” U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman Christine Dugas said in an email. “Normal operations and normal business hours will continue.”

With reports from Gerry Tuoti, assistant city editor of the Taunton Daily Gazette.